Pupillage

4 Stone Buildings is a leading commercial and Chancery set based at Lincoln's Inn in London. Its principal areas of practice include commercial litigation, commercial Chancery, company law, civil fraud, banking and finance, financial services and insolvency.

The Chambers' work covers a wide range of business disputes and advisory matters. Members regularly appear in the Commercial Court and Chancery Division and act in international disputes before arbitral tribunals and overseas courts, particularly in the Caribbean, Middle East, Channel Islands and Asia. Chambers also has a strong regulatory practice in the commercial and financial sectors.

The Pupillage

4 Stone Buildings offers a 12-month pupillage designed to provide pupils with the knowledge, practical skills and experience required to develop a successful career at the Bar.

Pupils normally spend time with four different pupil supervisors during the year. This structure gives pupils exposure to different areas of Chambers' work and allows them to learn from several experienced barristers.

Pupils work from their supervisor's room, review case papers, attend conferences, draft pleadings and other documents, prepare draft opinions and accompany their supervisor to court. Where another member of Chambers is involved in an interesting case or hearing, pupils may also be encouraged to work with and attend court alongside that barrister.

The aim is to provide pupils with a broad understanding of commercial and Chancery practice rather than restricting their experience to a single area of law.

Work During Pupillage

Pupils are exposed to genuine legal work throughout their pupillage. The work can include:

• Drafting pleadings and other court documents.

• Preparing draft opinions and legal advice.

• Conducting legal research and analysis.

• Attending conferences with clients and solicitors.

• Attending hearings and trials.

• Assisting with commercial and Chancery disputes.

• Working on company, insolvency, banking and financial services matters.

• Supporting members on civil fraud and asset recovery cases.

• Assisting with international and offshore disputes.

Pupils may also have opportunities to work with members other than their immediate supervisor where this provides useful experience of Chambers' wider practice.

Practice Areas

4 Stone Buildings' core areas of expertise include commercial litigation and commercial Chancery, company law, civil fraud, banking and finance, financial services and insolvency.

The Chambers' commercial practice covers a broad range of business disputes and problems. Members act in matters involving shareholder and director disputes, corporate issues, financial disputes, insolvency litigation, fraud and asset recovery.

The Chambers also has substantial experience of international and offshore litigation. Members regularly act in disputes involving overseas courts and arbitral tribunals, including matters connected with the Caribbean, Channel Islands, Middle East and Asia.

What 4 Stone Buildings Looks For

4 Stone Buildings expects candidates to demonstrate more than academic ability. The selection process considers whether an applicant has the intellectual ability, practical skills and personal qualities required to succeed at the commercial Bar.

Candidates are generally expected to have achieved a first-class or good second-class degree, although the degree does not have to be in law.

The Chambers considers three principal areas when assessing applications.

Intellectual Ability

This includes:

• Academic ability.

• Knowledge of law, taking account of the applicant's level of legal experience.

• Logical analysis.

• Common sense.

Skills

Candidates are assessed on their ability to:

• Identify what is practically relevant.

• Communicate fluently, accurately and clearly.

• Persuade effectively.

• Respond quickly and effectively to questions.

• Exercise sound judgment.

Suitability for the Bar

The Chambers also considers:

• Integrity.

• Application and motivation.

• Sensitivity to the audience.

• Ability to cope under pressure.

• Ability to work effectively with others.

The three core criteria are weighted equally when application forms are assessed. Every application is reviewed by a member of the Pupillage Committee, with a calibration and review process used to promote consistency in marking.

Application Process

Applications are made through the Pupillage Gateway.

The current Gateway timetable provides for applications to open at 11:00am on Monday 4 January 2027 and close at 11:59pm on Thursday 28 January 2027. Offers are scheduled to be made through the Pupillage Gateway from 9:30am on Friday 7 May 2027.

The application process currently consists of an application form followed by a single-round interview, although Chambers reserves the right to hold a second round if required.

Candidates invited to interview are required to provide two references.

Shortly before the interview begins, candidates receive a problem question. The exercise is designed to assess suitability for the Bar and for 4 Stone Buildings rather than existing legal knowledge. Candidates are expected to analyse the problem, identify relevant issues and respond to questions under pressure.

The interview process therefore provides an opportunity for Chambers to assess both intellectual and practical qualities, including analytical ability, judgment, communication, responsiveness and advocacy potential.

Tenancy

The tenancy decision is normally made in July.

4 Stone Buildings' general policy is to recruit all pupils who meet the required standard for tenancy. Pupils are therefore not in competition with each other for tenancy.

The Chambers has a strong record of retaining its pupils. It reports that, over the previous five years, it has recruited all of its pupils as tenants.

New tenants are able to develop their own practices quickly, combining their own cases with work as a junior alongside more senior members of Chambers.

New tenants receive their first year rent-free. Chambers expects new tenants to earn, as a minimum, the equivalent of their pupillage award during their first year of tenancy and does not require them to contribute towards Chambers' expenses until they reach that level.

Pupillage Award and Financial Support

The current pupillage award is £90,000 for the full 12 months.

The award is divided equally across the two six-month periods:

First six: £54,000, paid in equal monthly instalments.

Second six: £36,000, paid in equal monthly instalments.

Pupils may request to draw down up to 30% of the award in the year before pupillage. Chambers also funds the cost of the compulsory course that pupils are required to attend during pupillage.

Support and Mentoring

4 Stone Buildings recognises that pupillage can be demanding and aims to provide a supportive working environment.

Each pupil is assigned a mentor from the junior members of Chambers who is available to discuss concerns confidentially. A senior clerk also sits on the Pupillage Committee and takes an active interest in the pupils, providing support and advice.

Pupils are encouraged to participate in Chambers' social and professional activities, including Chambers tea.

Mini-Pupillage

A mini-pupillage at 4 Stone Buildings is not a prerequisite for applying for pupillage and does not form part of the pupillage selection process. Chambers nevertheless encourages prospective applicants to undertake one to gain a better understanding of its work and culture.

Mini-pupillages are available either in person or remotely. The programme lasts one day and gives participants an opportunity to learn about Chambers' work, speak with junior members and attend Chambers tea or Thursday drinks.

For in-person mini-pupillages, 4 Stone Buildings refunds reasonable expenses up to £75.

Applications for the mini-pupillage programme running from 18 January 2027 to 26 March 2027 are currently open, with applications closing on 30 October 2026.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

4 Stone Buildings is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

The Chambers aims to maintain a working environment free from discrimination, prejudice, harassment and victimisation. Its equality and diversity policy covers recruitment and selection of pupils, tenants, mini-pupils and staff.

The Chambers welcomes applications from disabled and neurodivergent candidates and is willing to discuss reasonable adjustments or facilities required during the recruitment process and pupillage.

Pupillage Open Evening

4 Stone Buildings is also holding a Pupillage Open Evening on Monday 12 October 2026, from 6:30pm to 9:00pm at the Ashworth Centre, Lincoln's Inn, London.

The event provides prospective applicants with an opportunity to meet members of Chambers, learn about the application process, hear about life as a pupil and find out more about the work undertaken at 4 Stone Buildings.

Application Deadline

The application deadline for the 4 Stone Buildings Pupillage 2028 is:

28 January 2027 at 11:59pm

Applications must be submitted through the Pupillage Gateway.

How to Apply

Candidates should apply through the Pupillage Gateway during the January 2027 application window.

Further information about pupillage, tenancy, the selection process and mini-pupillage is available on the official Chambers website.